See behind the scenes at Walpole Park - but tour places are limited

LOCAL history enthusiasts and park lovers should get in quick to book their spot on the Walpole Park ‘works in progress’ tour on Saturday, March 1, from 11am-12.30pm.

There are only 14 places on the free tour, which will give visitors unprecedented access to areas of the park where regeneration work is currently taking place.

The tour will be led by the project’s site manager, James Brooks, who will guide the group through the heritage quarter.

Visitors will also tour the walled garden and the almost-complete flower garden, which features a regency-style pathway.

The group will learn about the careful and intricate work involved in restoring the park’s heritage features, as well as how the ponds, trees and surface levels have been returned to how they would have looked in the 1800s.

To book a place, contact Claire Cooke on cookec@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 9458. Children under 15 will not be able to take part and closed-in footwear is essential.

The Walpole Park restoration project is being made possible thanks the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People grant of £2.4m, along with contributions from the council and Veolia Environmental Trust.

The borough's aim is to transform it into west London’s premier heritage park and reveal its connection to renowned architect Sir John Soane.